European Marmot

The European marmot (Marmota marmota) is a species of marmot found only in Europe. It is also known as the alpine marmot.


Physical Features
The European marmot has a stocky body.  They weigh about 3 to 4 kilograms.  These animals measure about 20 inches (52 cm) excluding their tail.  Their tail measures about 8 inches (20 cm).  The European marmot generally has short and muscular legs.  Their fur is golden-brown in color.  This species of marmot has a short tail.  The European marmot is the largest squirrel species.


Taxonomy
The European marmot belongs to the squirrel family of Sciuridae.  They belong to the order of Rodentia.


Behavior
European marmots are diurnal. They rest at night but are active in the day.  European marmots hibernate for approximately 7 months a year.  They produce a shrill whistle when they are alarmed.  They even growl and screech when they are angry.


Distribution and Habitat
The European marmot is found in the alpine regions of Switzerland, France and Italy.  They have been re-introduced to the Carpathian Mountains which is located on the border of Slovakia and Poland.  They are also found in parts of Germany.  They live in alpine meadows and in rocky slopes with an elevation of about 1,970 feet (600 meters).  They build burrows which are very complex, digging with their forepaws, while their hind legs also help in digging.  Their forepaws will scrape away the soil and the hind legs will keep the soil aside.  Each burrow will have only one family which has a dominant breeding pair.  The same burrow may be used by the next generation.  While digging the tunnel, the European marmot will sometimes use its teeth to remove some small stones.


Diet

A European marmot in summer.

European marmots are omnivores.  They will eat plants such as herbs and shrubs.  Spiders and other insects are also eaten by these marmots. European marmots will prefer to eat tender and young plants of any species.  They hold their food in their forepaws while eating.  Before hibernating in winter, they eat a lot a food which provides them with fat.


Conservation Status
European marmots are not threatened at the moment.  They are abundant in their current range. Their population had declined in the 20th century, but now they have successfully been re-introduced to the respective range.


Source of pic 1 and pic 2

Przewalski's Horse

The przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) is a species of horse found in Asia.  It is considered as 'critically endangered' by the IUCN.  It is also known as the Dungarian horse and has recently been introduced to the wild.

Physical Features

The przewalski's horse closely resembles a domesticated horse.  Its fur is a dull grayish brown in color.  The przewalski's horse stands about 4.3 feet tall (52 inches) and measures 2.1 meters in length (6.11 feet).  Its fur has some pangaré  features.They have a dark brown color around the mane on the neck and a pale brown color on the flanks and a yellowish white color on the belly and around the muzzle.  They have shorter legs than feral horses and have faint stripes on their body.  These horses can weigh more than 310 kilograms.

Diet

The przewalski's horse is mainly herbivorous, eating grass.  Some of these horses rest in salt licks to obtain enough minerals.  Przewalski's horses need a lot of nutrients everyday as they travel more than six miles per day with their group.

Behavior

A female horse with its offspring.

The behavior of a przewalski's horse resembles the behavior of a domesticated horse.  They live in groups which consists of a stallion, who leads the group and mares with their offsprings.  The przewalski's horse is diurnal; they are active only during the day.  At night, they all sleep together for about four hours.

Distribution and Habitat

The przewalski's horse is foound in the steppes of Mongolia and China, Asia.  They were once extinct in the wild but were re-introduced.

Conservation Status

The przewalski's horse was extinct in the wild but were introduced to Khustain Nuruu National Park, Takhin Tal Nature Reserve and Khomiin Tal, which contains their natural habitat.  These national parks are in Mongolia.  In 2005, the population of these horses were 1500 which include individuals in wild and in captivity but the population has increased since then.  They are rated as 'critically endangered' by the IUCN.  

 Source of pic 1 and pic 2